Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Dear Everyone!

The new era of self produced, fan funded, self released albums is upon us.

No longer are big corporate labels a necessity. These days the recordings can be completely in the hands of the wily artists, their management team and most importantly, their fans. That's good news! The bad news is because there is no big label bankrolling the projects, suddenly there is a need to hire recording, promotional and marketing professionals. Recordings done right are expensive, a challenge to promote, and they require building a team, money, and lots of attention to details.

Most of you know that our last release, "The Day After Everything Changed", was one of the very first success stories of the new paradigm of fan funded albums. We raised $100,000! And put out what I think was the best project of my career.

The release was recorded in Nashville, sold all over the world, was used as the score to the soundtrack to the Farelly Brothers hit film, "Hall Pass", and was well received critically and at radio. We began fundraising four years ago. We hired musicians, producers, press promoters, Internet and radio promoters, distributors, designers, artists and then! Bam! The album was out, the funding spent, and the recording is now part of my history.... A big success story, thanks to you.

On to my new songs!

We are now rolling out a new project, tentatively called "Shoot out the Satellites", and are announcing the new fundraising campaign TODAY! A release takes a massive amount of work and funding and we'd love for you to be involved. The levels of contributions are listed below and include among other things house concerts, songs written for you, your loved ones or your business, original artwork, hand written lyrics and journal pages, behind the scene videos, and demos of the songs. We will be sending out video clips of me playing the new songs so you get a sense of where things are going - you can check out a demo version of the first new song "Chasing Beauty" below.

The songs are being driven around my new guitar, and the focus of this album will be Guinness (the name of my guitar) and my voice--- with light embellishment of additional production... more of a Cat Stevens, James Taylor approach on this one. We are aiming for an April release! Please get involved in any way you can! And spread the word to like minded people who support the arts!

- You will be one of the first to receive the new CD in 2013 - personally signed by Ellis!

- You will be the first to receive a digital copy of Ellis' long awaited Holiday album (Release date to the public: December 1st, 2012. Surprise!)

The 'Blue' Level: $100 Donation

The 'Blue' Level gives you the following:

- You will be one of the first to receive the new CD in 2013 - personally signed by Ellis!

- You will be one of the first to receive a copy of Ellis' long awaited Holiday album (Release date to the public: December 1st, 2012) - personally signed by Ellis!

- You will receive a very special, Limited Edition T-shirt! (Not available for sale! Only album donators will receive.)

- You and a friend will be put on Ellis' guest list for an Ellis Paul show of your choice (non-festival, Ellis headlining)!

The 'Murmur' Level: $250 Donation

The 'Murmur' Level gives you the following:

- You will be one of the first to receive the new CD in 2013 - personally signed by Ellis!

- You will be one of the first to receive a copy of Ellis' long awaited Holiday album (Release date to the public: December 1st, 2012) - personally signed by Ellis!

- You will receive a very special, Limited Edition T-shirt! (Not available for sale! Only album donators will receive.)

- You and a friend will be put on Ellis' guest list for an Ellis Paul show of your choice (Non-festival, Ellis headlining)!

- Ellis will thank you by including your name in the liner notes of the CD booklet

- Receive a Limited Edition, signed copy of the official 100th Anniversary Woody Guthrie Festival poster, hand drawn by Ellis and suitable for framing

- Receive an Exclusive Behind the Scenes Video download of demos/songs being recorded, Ellis in the studio, and more behind the scenes footage.

The 'Sgt. Pepper' Level: $500 Donation

The 'Sgt. Pepper' Level gives you the following:

- You will be one of the first to receive the new CD in 2013 - personally signed by Ellis!

- You will be one of the first to receive a copy of Ellis' long awaited Holiday album (Release date to the public: December 1st, 2012) - personally signed by Ellis!

- You will receive a very special, Limited Edition T-shirt! (Not available for sale! Only album donators will receive.)

- You and a friend will be put on Ellis' guest list for an Ellis Paul show of your choice (non-festival, Ellis headlining)!

- Ellis will thank you by including your name in the liner notes of the CD booklet

- Receive a Limited Edition, signed copy of the official 100th Anniversary Woody Guthrie Festival poster, hand drawn by Ellis and suitable for framing

- Receive an Exclusive Behind the Scenes Video download of demos/songs being recorded, Ellis in the studio, and more behind the scenes footage.

- Ellis will handwrite and illustrate lyrics to any one Ellis Paul song of your choice, which will be suitable for framing

- A very rare, extremely Limited Edition Sketchbook composed of selections copied from over 20 years of personal journals Ellis has kept while on the road and composing his many albums. This not-for-sale book will be a look at hand drawn sketches, along with lyrics and personal notes by Ellis.

- One ORIGINAL sketch page -- NOT a copy -- from one of Ellis' journals!

The 'Blood on the Tracks' Level: $1,000 Donation

The 'Blood on the Tracks' Level gives you the following:

- You will be one of the first to receive the new CD in 2013 - personally signed by Ellis!

- You will be one of the first to receive a copy of Ellis' long awaited Holiday album (Release date to the public: December 1st, 2012) - personally signed by Ellis!

- You will receive a very special, Limited Edition T-shirt! (Not available for sale! Only album donators will receive.)

- You and a friend will be put on Ellis' guest list for an Ellis Paul show of your choice (non-festival, Ellis headlining)!

- Ellis will thank you by including your name in the liner notes of the CD booklet

- Receive a Limited Edition, signed copy of the official 100th Anniversary Woody Guthrie Festival poster, hand drawn by Ellis and suitable for framing

- Receive an Exclusive Behind the Scenes Video download of demos/songs being recorded, Ellis in the studio, and more behind the scenes footage.

- Ellis will handwrite and illustrate lyrics to any one Ellis Paul song of your choice, which will be suitable for framing

- A very rare, extremely Limited Edition Sketchbook composed of selections copied from over 20 years of personal journals Ellis has kept while on the road and composing his many albums. This not-for-sale book will be a look at hand drawn sketches, along with lyrics and personal notes by Ellis.

- One ORIGINAL sketch page -- NOT a copy -- from one of Ellis' journals!

- A Sit Down Session with Ellis! (In person or Skype, based on availability and geographic location.) Discuss Art/music/guitar lessons/songwriting tips/performance ideas with Ellis!

- A Full discography recording! A rare recording of Ellis singing his entire catalog of studio albums in consecutive order (recorded at Club Passim on his 20th Anniversary in December of 2010)

The 'Exile on Main St' Level: $2500 Donation

The 'Exile on Main St' Level gives you the following:

- You will be one of the first to receive the new CD in 2013 - personally signed by Ellis!

- You will be one of the first to receive a copy of Ellis' long awaited Holiday album (Release date to the public: December 1st, 2012) - personally signed by Ellis!

- You will receive a very special, Limited Edition T-shirt! (Not available for sale! Only album donators will receive.)

- You and a friend will be put on Ellis' guest list for an Ellis Paul show of your choice (non-festival, Ellis headlining)!

- Ellis will thank you by including your name in the liner notes of the CD booklet

- Receive a Limited Edition, signed copy of the official 100th Anniversary Woody Guthrie Festival poster, hand drawn by Ellis and suitable for framing

- Receive an Exclusive Behind the Scenes Video download of demos/songs being recorded, Ellis in the studio, and more behind the scenes footage.

- Ellis will handwrite and illustrate lyrics to any one Ellis Paul song of your choice, which will be suitable for framing

- A very rare, extremely Limited Edition Sketchbook composed of selections copied from over 20 years of personal journals Ellis has kept while on the road and composing his many albums. This not-for-sale book will be a look at hand drawn sketches, along with lyrics and personal notes by Ellis.

- One ORIGINAL sketch page -- NOT a copy -- from one of Ellis' journals!

- A Sit Down Session with Ellis! (In person or Skype, based on availability and geographic location.) Discuss Art/music/guitar lessons/songwriting tips/performance ideas with Ellis!

- A Full discography recording! A rare live recording of Ellis singing his entire catalog of studio albums in consecutive order (recorded at Club Passim on his 20th Anniversary in December of 2010)

- A Private Dinner with Ellis!

- The above full live discography recording from Passim in 2010, PLUS Ellis' full discography of Studio Albums, PLUS some unreleased material, all recorded on a brand new iPod!

The 'Tapestry' Level: $5,000 Donation

The 'Tapestry' Level gives you the following:

- You will be one of the first to receive the new CD in 2013 - personally signed by Ellis!

- You will be one of the first to receive a copy of Ellis' long awaited Holiday album (Release date to the public: December 1st, 2012) - personally signed by Ellis!

- You will receive a very special, Limited Edition T-shirt! (Not available for sale! Only album donators will receive.)

- You and a friend will be put on Ellis' guest list for an Ellis Paul show of your choice (non-festival, Ellis headlining)!

- Ellis will thank you by including your name in the liner notes of the CD booklet

- Receive a Limited Edition, signed copy of the official 100th Anniversary Woody Guthrie Festival poster, hand drawn by Ellis and suitable for framing

- Receive an Exclusive Behind the Scenes Video download of demos/songs being recorded, Ellis in the studio, and more behind the scenes footage.

- Ellis will handwrite and illustrate lyrics to any one Ellis Paul song of your choice, which will be suitable for framing

- A very rare, extremely Limited Edition Sketchbook composed of selections copied from over 20 years of personal journals Ellis has kept while on the road and composing his many albums. This not-for-sale book will be a look at hand drawn sketches, along with lyrics and personal notes by Ellis.

- One ORIGINAL sketch page -- NOT a copy -- from one of Ellis' journals!

- A Sit Down Session with Ellis! (In person or Skype, based on availability and geographic location.) Discuss Art/music/guitar lessons/songwriting tips/performance ideas with Ellis!

- A Full discography recording! A rare live recording of Ellis singing his entire catalog of studio albums in consecutive order (recorded at Club Passim on his 20th Anniversary in December of 2010)

- A Private Dinner with Ellis!

- The above full live discography recording from Passim in 2010, PLUS Ellis' full discography of Studio Albums, PLUS some unreleased material, all recorded on a brand new iPod!

- A live, private Ellis Paul concert in your home,business, school or designated venue for you and your friends!(Date of show will be booked through Ralph Jaccodine Management, agreed upon date is based on Ellis' availability and tour schedule.)

- ORIGINAL Album art -- not a copy! Receive a piece of history - an actual hand drawn/painted piece of art created by Ellis as he conceptualized the art for album in question.

The 'Thriller' Level: $10,000 Donation

The 'Thriller' Level gives you the following:

- You will be one of the first to receive the new CD in 2013 - personally signed by Ellis!

- You will be one of the first to receive a copy of Ellis' long awaited Holiday album (Release date to the public: December 1st, 2012) - personally signed by Ellis!

- You will receive a very special, Limited Edition T-shirt! (Not available for sale! Only album donators will receive.)

- You and a friend will be put on Ellis' guest list for an Ellis Paul show of your choice (non-festival, Ellis headlining)!

- Ellis will thank you by including your name in the liner notes of the CD booklet

- Receive a Limited Edition, signed copy of the official 100th Anniversary Woody Guthrie Festival poster, hand drawn by Ellis and suitable for framing

- Receive an Exclusive Behind the Scenes Video download of demos/songs being recorded, Ellis in the studio, and more behind the scenes footage.

- Ellis will handwrite and illustrate lyrics to any one Ellis Paul song of your choice, which will be suitable for framing

- A very rare, extremely Limited Edition Sketchbook composed of selections copied from over 20 years of personal journals Ellis has kept while on the road and composing his many albums. This not-for-sale book will be a look at hand drawn sketches, along with lyrics and personal notes by Ellis.

- One ORIGINAL sketch page -- NOT a copy -- from one of Ellis' journals!

- A Sit Down Session with Ellis! (In person or Skype, based on availability and geographic location.) Discuss Art/music/guitar lessons/songwriting tips/performance ideas with Ellis!

- A Full discography recording! A rare live recording of Ellis singing his entire catalog of studio albums in consecutive order (recorded at Club Passim on his 20th Anniversary in December of 2010)

- A Private Dinner with Ellis!

- The above full live discography recording from Passim in 2010, PLUS Ellis' full discography of Studio Albums, PLUS some unreleased material, all recorded on a brand new iPod!

- A live, private Ellis Paul concert in your home,business, school or designated venue for you and your friends!(Date of show will be booked through Ralph Jaccodine Management, agreed upon date is based on Ellis' availability and tour schedule.)

- ORIGINAL Album art -- not a copy! Receive a piece of history - an actual hand drawn/painted piece of art created by Ellis as he conceptualized the art for album in question.

- An ORIGINAL SONG. You can collaborate with Ellis and he will compose a personal song for you, your business, your charity, or a designated individual. Ellis will record it on a CD and will hand draw the cover art.

- A lifetime of Guest List spots for you and a friend to Ellis Paul shows. (For Ellis Paul headlining shows not including private shows, house concerts and festivals,and Club Passim December 30 and 31st shows.)